The very youngest singers of our congregation will come together to present their musical gift to the Christ child at a special Children's Christmas Program, featuring the Cherub, Alleluia, and Hosanna Choirs, and the instrumental ensemble Joyful Noise! Their sweet voices and joy-filled faces proclaim the good news that "Christ is born!"

The very youngest singers of our congregation will come together to present their musical gift to the Christ child at a special Children's Christmas Program, featuring the Cherub, Alleluia, and Hosanna Choirs. Their sweet voices and joy-filled faces proclaim the good news that "Christ is born!" Nursery provided by Blossom Circle.

You are invited to attend Mount Olivet's Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 10, at 3 or 5pm. This favorite Christmas event features the Mpls Senior Choir; combined Cathedral, Chapel and Chancel Choirs; and Chancel Ringers. Come and enjoy the beautiful music as over 600 singers and ringers proclaim the joy of Christ's birth in song! Admission is free.

You are invited to attend Mount Olivet's Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 9 at 3 or 5pm. This favorite Christmas event features the Mpls Senior Choir; combined Cathedral, Chapel and Chancel Choirs; and Chancel Ringers. Come and enjoy the beautiful music as over 600 singers and ringers proclaim the joy of Christ's birth in song! Admission is free.

Minneapolis: Main Sanctuary- Minneapolis Campus

A Plea with Please at Christmas

Dear Mount Olivet Supporter –

My mailbox is full these days (as is yours) with “pleas with please.” Churches and other non-profits are working hard to end the year with bills paid and budgets balanced. Mount Olivet also faces financial challenges as we approach the most beautiful time of the year: Christmas.

Yes, this is our annual Christmas appeal. Our challenge is to fully fund our ministries. Frankly, we are projecting a budget shortfall of $250,000, and, as we put the finishing touches on a 2016 budget proposal, we also are tightening our belts by cutting that amount from programs for next year. We are doing our best to keep Pastor Hogenson’s commitment to “live within our means.” Don’t get me wrong: Mount Olivet’s financial situation is solid, however, if we don’t align our income and our spending, that could change in a few short years.

Why has this occurred? Multiple reasons – including fewer people pledging each year and unfulfilled pledges, a concurrent capital campaign that needs to continue, a slower economic recovery, and perhaps a widespread impression that Mount Olivet always has money!

We can erase the deficit with a generous outpouring of Christmas gifts to the general operating budget. That is our “plea with please.” Yes, you may designate your gift for your favorite ministry or project. Simply put, we are grateful for your support.

I have always believed in “tell the people and they will respond.” I have learned many things in the month-plus that I have been your interim senior pastor – I know Mount Olivet members love their church.

So, Christmas is coming and the excitement of the holiday (holy day) season is growing. A veritable feast includes the Lutefisk Dinner (a fest for some!), our Christmas Music Weekend (Dec 12-13), Christmas Communion Services (Dec 20), and our 15 services on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). Christmas at Mount Olivet ... The best way to celebrate the best gift ever – the birth of our Lord and Savior!